Cydia

One of the main reasons why the iPhone changed the mobile market is because of its new and emerging multitouch technology. There had been none like it before and without a doubt, this breakthrough in the mobile device world was key to Apple's success. Apple incorporated this technology into all of its devices, including Mac components such as the Magic Mouse. When it comes to down to the iDevices however, a major part of the device that was left dormant with limited multitouch capabilities is the lock screen. With the exception of "slide to unlock" and a few other things, the lock screen simply "exists" and does not give you a ton of options. With the release of a new tweak called LockGestures, you can use your lock screen for a ton of cool features using the multitouch capability. Here's the scoop:

LockGestures gives you customization options to use the multitouch capabilities on the lock screen for good uses. Inside the settings tab for LockGestures, you are able to set different actions based on certain gestures such as:

Tap three times with one finger

Double tap with one finger

Swipe upwards with one finger

Pinch

Much more

From there, you can go into each gesture and set what you want that gesture to perform. Some of those actions include:

Higher brightness

Play/pause music

Unlock

Launch application

Much more

(Power Options is shown in the header picture - it was set to a triple tap gesture)

If you wish to set a gesture to launch an application, you simply select the application you wish to launch (the tap is at the top of the settings tab - unfortunately, you are only able to set one application to launch). Another handy component of this tweak is the "best configuration" layout at the very bottom of the settings tab. It gives you a list of the best configurations when it comes to setting gestures. A method for contacting the developer for suggestions, bugs, or improvements is also provided at the bottom.

Try it now - it's available on Cydia for $1 and is compatible on all devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) with firmwares 4.0+ (has not been tested on the iOS 5 beta - do so at your own risk).

Name: LockGesturesAuthor: Akhil TolaniVersion: 1.0.1Price: $1.00

While reviewing this tweak, I got a hold of the developer, Akhil Tolani (@saltb0x), and asked him a few questions about LockGestures and what is to come.

JOSH: What gave you the idea to make LockGestures?AKHIL:If I remember correctly, I was unlocking my iPhone normally using the slide to unlock and instantly got an idea that I should make a tweak which will unlock the device by gestures. So I made a basic tweak in about 2-3 hours with about 8 gestures in total. When I completed it though, I thought this wouldn't be that awesome so then I completely redesigned the tweak and instead of just being able to unlock, I added many system actions like quick call, brightness increase/decrease, play/pause music, launch a favorite app right from the lock screen etc.. From there, I added 5 more gestures to make a total of 13 gestures.

JOSH: How long did it take for you to make LockGestures? Which part was the most difficult part to implement?AKHIL:The beta testing took alot more time than actually coding the tweak. I made the whole tweak in less than24 hours. All the parts were actually pretty easy for me to implement but I think launch application was the one which was a bit difficult in comparison to the others.

JOSH: Other than LockGestures, what other tweaks/applications have you made (Cydia and (or) App Store)? Any planned future incorporations/updates for LockGestures?AKHIL:I have made 5 tweaks in all: LockLauncher, SuperSlider, StyleUnlock, 6Switcher, and than obviously LockGestures. I haven't made any App Store apps yet as they require alot of time to make. I will make some App Store apps during my summer vacations.

My exams are starting very soon but I'll update all my tweaks on the day they are over. LockGestures will be updated with 2 finger swipe gestures, 3 finger swipe gestures, and 4 fingers swipes also (for iPad). I'll add about 20 gestures in total and some more actions like volume up/down and some bug fixes

JOSH: Do you have any other projects that you are working on that you are able to speak on?AKHIL:I will start working on a keyboard tweak as soon as my exams are over and I have completed my previous tweak updates.

JOSH: What is your best method of communication if we'd like to send you suggestions on how to make LockGestures (or any of your other tweaks) better?AKHIL:The best way is to contact me on Twitter as I am available most of the time there: @saltb0x. If you want a quick reply, contact me on Twitter. Or if your suggestion is alot more than 140 characters, you can email me at akhiltolani777[at]gmail[dot]com.

Yah but it doesn't time out like sbsettings. If I wanted to type a note on the lockscreen I'd have to hit my homebutton multiple times to keep the screen from going blank. Plus there are a lot of tweaks that do the "same thing" so to speak, but it's nice to have options.

Originally Posted by 240v

U mean activator?

They both work together.

Hey Josh just a quick question off topic.
Are you still doing the series'behind the code'?
Just curious because I haven't seen anything lately.